Mariners’ basketball victorious over Blues

The VIU Mariners’ women’s basketball team picked up their most lopsided victory of the season, with a 58-37 victory over the visiting Capilano Blues on November 15. The victory moved the Mariners above .500 on the season, improving their record to 3-2.

The Mariners got off to a hot start and put the game out of reach early. VIU led 23-10 after the first quarter. The Mariners kept the pressure on the Blues and continued to expand their lead. At halftime the Mariners led by 26 points. The score at the half was 42-16.

The Mariners’ offense cooled down in the second half, as the team only scored 16 points in the game’s final 20 minutes. But the offense in the first half was all the Mariners needed as they picked up the 58-37 win. The Mariners had more points in the first half than Capilano scored all game. The loss dropped the Blues to 2-3 on the season.

On Friday, November 14, the Mariners faced their toughest test of the young season as the undefeated Quest Kermodes paid a visit to the VIU gym. Despite Quest’s undefeated start to the season, it was the Mariners who started out hot. When the first quarter ended, the Mariners were leading 14-9. But the Kermodes came alive in the second quarter and took the lead away from the Mariners. At halftime The Mariners trailed Quest 26-21.

Quest increased their lead to double digits in the third quarter, leading 51-35 entering the fourth. The Mariners tried to mount a comeback in the game’s final quarter, but they fell short as Quest picked up the 64-51 victory on the road.

After five games, the Mariners have a record of 3-2. VIU’s six points gives them a two-point lead over the two teams in fourth place, Capilano and Camosun. The Mariners are four points behind Douglas and Quest who are both tied with 10 points each.

The Mariners don’t play at home again until January 23 when they take on the visiting Capilano Blues. VIU only has two games left before the winter break. On November 21, the team takes on the Columbia Bible College Bearcats, and on November 22 the team takes on the Kwantlen Eagles in their last game before the Christmas break.